n.

1. a written order directing a bank to pay money;
   bank check, cheque
   
   • he paid all his bills by check
2. an appraisal of the state of affairs;
   assay
   
   • they made an assay of the contents
   • a check on its dependability under stress
3. the bill in a restaurant;
   chit, tab
   
   • he asked the waiter for the check
4. the state of inactivity following an interruption;
   arrest, halt, hitch, stay, stop, stoppage
   
   • the negotiations were in arrest
   • held them in check
   • during the halt he got some lunch
   • the momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow
   • he spent the entire stop in his seat
5. additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct;
   confirmation, verification, substantiation
   
   • fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory
6. the act of inspecting or verifying;
   checkout, check-out procedure
   
   • they made a check of their equipment
   • the pilot ran through the check-out procedure
7. a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.;
   check mark, tick
   
   • as he called the role he put a check mark by each student's name
8. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress;
   hindrance, hinderance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk, handicap
9. a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something;
   chip
10. a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)
    
    • she wore a skirt with checks
11. the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess;
    bridle, curb
    
    • his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper
12. obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
13. (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king

v.

1. examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition;
   check up on, look into, check out, suss out, check over, go over, check into
   
   • check the brakes
   • Check out the engine
2. make an examination or investigation
   
   • check into the rumor
   • check the time of the class
3. be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something;
   see, insure, see to it, ensure, control, ascertain, assure
   
   • He verified that the valves were closed
   • See that the curtains are closed
   • control the quality of the product
4. lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;
   control, hold in, hold, contain, curb, moderate
   
   • moderate your alcohol intake
   • hold your tongue
   • hold your temper
   • control your anger
5. stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution
   
   • She checked for an instant and missed a step
6. put a check mark on or near or next to;
   check off, mark, mark off, tick off, tick
   
   • Please check each name on the list
   • tick off the items
   • mark off the units
7. slow the growth or development of;
   retard, delay
   
   • The brain damage will retard the child's language development
8. be verified or confirmed; pass inspection;
   check out
   
   • These stories don't check!
9. be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics;
   match, fit, correspond, jibe, gibe, tally, agree
   
   • The two stories don't agree in many details
   • The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
   • The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
10. block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey
11. train by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control;
    discipline, train, condition
    
    • Parents must discipline their children
    • Is this dog trained?
12. consign for shipment on a vehicle
    
    • check your luggage before boarding
13. hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping
    
    • Check your coat at the door
14. abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey, of falcons
15. stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
    
    • The dog checked
16. mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on;
    checker, chequer
17. decline to initiate betting
18. hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of;
    turn back, arrest, stop, contain, hold back
    
    • Arrest the downward trend
    • Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
    • Contain the rebel movement
    • Turn back the tide of communism
19. place into check
    
    • He checked my kings
20. write out a check on a bank account
21. find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
    determine, find out, see, ascertain, watch, learn
    
    • I want to see whether she speaks French
    • See whether it works
    • find out if he speaks Russian
    • Check whether the train leaves on time
22. verify by consulting a source or authority
    
    • check the spelling of this word
    • check your facts
23. arrest the motion (of something) abruptly
    
    • He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve
24. make cracks or chinks in;
    chink
    
    • The heat checked the paint
25. become fractured; break or crack on the surface only;
    crack, break
    
    • The glass cracked when it was heated